Resisting False Teachers

The Bible gives many warnings against false teachers and false teachings. The Gnostics in Colossae thought they had been enlightened with greater truth than Christ and tried to move the believers away from the simplicity of the Gospel. Paul was warning the believers to resist these false teachers.

1. The Charge to Resist False Teachers

- Recognize the counterfeits by thoroughly knowing the truth. 

- Don’t let anyone lead you astray from the truth of the gospel.

2. Characteristics of False Teaching

• Enslaving - “takes you captive”

• Deceptive - ”empty deceit”

- These false philosophies are paired with deceit. False teachers can be sincere, moral, and kind.

• Based on Human Traditions - “tradition of men)

- False teachers elevate the “tradition of men” over Scripture. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

• Demonic Control - “elementary principles of the world”

- Elementary principles are also translated as elemental spirits. John 2 and 12 talk about these elemental spirits which are demonic beings.